Description
**This is a Full Time, salaried position at 40 hours per week.**
The Diabetes Care and Education Specialist reflects the mission, vision, and values of Northwestern Medicine, adheres to the organization’s Code of Ethics and Corporate Compliance Program, and complies with all relevant policies, procedures, guidelines and all other regulatory and accreditation standards.
A skilled professional clinician (Registered Nurse or Registered Dietitian )with competence in diabetes and lifestyle medicine. Works cooperatively and communicates effectively within a multidisciplinary framework to actively promote holistic care for patients and families. Demonstrates self-direction, excellent problem solving ability and initiative in the role of clinician, educator and consultant
Responsibilities:
1. Clinical
- Provides direct patient care and/or consultation using in-depth clinical knowledge and skills in area of Diabetes.
- Establishes Diabetes Education standards and develops policies and procedures that assure the provision of quality, comprehensive and coordinated care.
- Serves as a consultant to other disciplines on diabetes.
- Receives and assesses referrals from referring providers.
- Consults with multidisciplinary team as appropriate to develop, implement and evaluate care for patients and families.
- Educates patients and/or families on self management skills to promote optimal level of chronic disease management and wellness.
- Collaborates with the Patient Education Department on patient education needs and provides appropriate resources for patients specific to diabetes.
- Documents patient care activities in patient medical records.
2. Professional
- Demonstrates the following professional attributes:
- Exemplifies a professional image in appearance, manner and presentation.
- Is an advocate for patients and their significant others, coworkers, the community and the healthcare profession.
- Consistently exhibits accountability.
- Champions collaborative practice with coworkers and other disciplines and departments.
- Consistently demonstrates compassion to internal and external customers.
- Dynamic representative of the nursing profession in internal and external forums.
- Integrates theoretical knowledge base and clinical expertise in decision making.
- Assumes responsibility for meeting regulatory and other mandatory requirements.
- Assumes responsibility for personal development plan and education/certification related to clinical specialty area.
- Supports and models personal wellness
3. Leadership/Organization
- Serves as a patient advocate and role model for 'Patients First'
- Mentors staff to ensure quality of health care practices
- Participates in unit/departmental/divisional or hospital committees/task forces
- Consults with management in assessment, problem solving, decision making, and evaluating clinical/system issues
4. Education
- Participates in programs to meet continuing education requirements.
- Provide formal education to both internal and external groups pertinent to diabetes.
- Develop and present educational materials in support of specific educational and behavioral goals, and modify such materials to as needed to support individual patients.
5. Research
- Facilitates research based practice in clinical area of diabetes/lifestyle medicine.
- Collect and document quality management and outcomes research data.
- Participates in research pertinent to area of diabetes/lifestyle medicine.
Qualifications
Required:
- Willing to sit for the Certified Diabetes Care and Education Specialist (CDCES) exam within or after 2 years of hire.
- Registered, Licensed Dietician or Registered Nurse (IL).
- Bachelor of Science or Bachelor of Arts in accredited nutrition or nursing related field.
Preferred:
- Two years of experience in diabetes care and education
- Expertise in Diabetes Technology
- Master’s degree in nursing, nutrition, counseling or related fields.
- Experience with insulin pumps and continuous glucose monitoring
Equal Opportunity
Northwestern Medicine is an equal opportunity employer (disability, VETS) and does not discriminate in hiring or employment on the basis of age, sex, race, color, religion, national origin, gender identity, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation or any other protected status.
Background Check
Northwestern Medicine conducts a background check that includes criminal history on newly hired team members and, at times, internal transfers. If you are offered a position with us, you will be required to complete an authorization and disclosure form that gives Northwestern Medicine permission to run the background check. Results are evaluated on a case-by-case basis, and we follow all local, state, and federal laws, including the Illinois Health Care Worker Background Check Act.
Artificial Intelligence Disclosure
Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools may be used in some portions of the candidate review process for this position, however, all employment decisions will be made by a person.
Benefits
We offer a wide range of benefits that provide employees with tools and resources to improve their physical, emotional, and financial well-being while providing protection for unexpected life events. Please visit our Benefits section to learn more.
Sign-on Bonus Eligibility: Internal employees and rehires who left Northwestern Medicine within 1 year are not eligible for the sign on bonus. Exception: New graduate internal employees seeking their first licensed clinical position at NM may be eligible depending upon the job family.
